Processes for controlling microbial organic compound production

ABSTRACT

Processes for preparing products comprising an oxygen-generating additive for reducing the amount of skin irritation and inflamation and odor are disclosed. Specifically, products such as training pants and diapers are disclosed which contain a carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide crystalline powder which, when wetted, produces a stream of oxygen which can be used by various bacteria on and near the wearer&#39;s skin during metabolism resulting in a significant decrease in the amount of volatile organic compounds produced by the bacteria during metabolism.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This divisional patent application claims priority from U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/029,334 filed on Dec. 20, 2001, the entirety ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to products which reduce skin irritation,inflammation and odor by minimizing the production of volatile organiccompounds by microbes at or near the skin's surface. More specifically,the present invention relates to products, such as diapers, incontinencegarments, or training pants for example, which contain a stablecarbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixture which, upon activation, releasesa stream of oxygen which can act as a terminal electron (or hydrogen)acceptor during metabolism for bacteria on or near the skin's surfaceresulting in a significant decrease in the production of microbialproduced volatile organic compounds. A preferred carbohydrate-hydrogenperoxide mixture is mannitol peroxide.

Human skin irritation and inflamation is typically the result ofimmunological events in the skin's surface that occur in response toexposure to skin irritants and/or skin injury. Inflamation andirritation is initiated by the production and release ofpro-inflammatory mediators by skin cells which results in therecruitment and activation of circulating leukocytes. The processresults in the hallmark features of skin irritation including redness,swelling and pain. It is well known that numerous molecules and microbesin aqueous and/or non-aqueous carriers on the skin can cause irritationresulting in skin inflamation.

Although little is known about the extent to which gas phase compounds,or metabolic gases, produced by microbes can initiate and/or exacerbateskin irritation and/or inflamation, it is believed that these gases cancause skin irritation and/or inflamation upon exposure. Gas phasemolecules resulting from the activities of microorganisms are typicallyreferred to as volatile organic compounds. Many volatile organiccompounds produced by microbes at or near the skin's surface arewell-known compounds such as oxalacetic acid, isovaleric acid, propionicacid, hexanoic acid, and the like, all of which are known skinirritants. While many of the volatile organic compounds produced bymicroorganisms are truly organic in nature as they contain carbon, someimportant compounds produced by microorganisms such as ammonia andhydrogen sulfide are inorganic. As used herein, the term “volatileorganic compounds” is meant to include both the organic and inorganicmetabolic gases and compounds produced by microbes at or near the skin'ssurface which may be irritating to the skin, and is also intended toinclude both organic and inorganic compounds produced by microbes whichdo not fully volatilize and which can remain on the skin surface or insolution, such as a urine solution.

The microbial flora of the skin, mucus membranes, and of bodily wasteproducts such as feces, urine, menses, and nasal secretions are a majorsource of various types of bacteria which can produce significantamounts of volatile organic compounds. For example, facultativeanaerobic bacteria present on and near the skin produce volatile organiccompounds during metabolism when a sufficient amount of oxygen to act asa terminal electron (or hydrogen) acceptor is not present in theenvironment. Because human excrement contains such a large number ofbacteria which can lay next to the skin after release, these volatileorganic compounds may be a major unrecognized source of irritants to theskin, and therefore may be a major unrecognized element of skinirritation in the diapered, vaginal, wound, and nasal environments.Also, these volatile organic compounds may be a significant source ofobjectionable odors.

As such, a need exists in the infant care, adult care, wound management,and feminine care products industries for products which are capable ofcontrolling and reducing the production of volatile organic compoundsfrom microbes at or near the skin surface. Such a reduction in volatileorganic compounds may result in a significantly reduced amount of skinirritation and inflamation on the skin of the wearer, and may alsoreduce the production of objectionable odors at or near the skin'ssurface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides products such as diapers, training pants,adult incontinence garments, tampons, interlabial pads, sanitarynapkins, facial tissue and bath tissue, and wound management productswhich contain a stable oxygen producing compound which may be activatedafter insult to produce a stream of oxygen. The oxygen stream producedby the compound contained on or in the product can act as a terminalelectron (or hydrogen) acceptor in the metabolism process of microbes onor near the skin's surface resulting in a significant decrease in theproduction of volatile organic compounds by these microbes. Such adecrease in volatile organic compound products leads to a reduced amountof skin irritation and inflamation, and may also result in the reductionin the production of offensive odors.

The oxygen producing compounds for incorporation into the products ofthe present invention are comprised of a carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxidemixture which has been crystallized into a stable crystalline material.Preferably, the oxygen producing compound is a crystalline compoundcomprised of a sugar alcohol-hydrogen peroxide mixture. A particularlypreferred oxygen producing compound for incorporation into the productsof the present invention is mannitol-peroxide.

Briefly, therefore, the present invention is directed to a productcomprising a carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixture for reducing theamount of irritation on a wearer's skin caused by microbial-producedvolatile organic compounds. The mixture is capable of generating oxygenupon activation, and the oxygen acts as a terminal electron acceptor forbacteria on or near the skin's surface such that the production ofvolatile organic compounds by the bacteria is reduced.

The invention is further directed to a product comprising a sugaralcohol-hydrogen peroxide mixture for reducing the amount of irritationon a wearer's skin caused by microbial-produced volatile organiccompounds. The mixture is capable of generating oxygen upon activation,and the oxygen acts as a terminal electron acceptor for bacteria on ornear the skin's surface such that the production of volatile organiccompounds by the bacteria is reduced.

The invention is further directed to a product comprising from about0.01% (by weight of the product) to about 5% (by weight of the product)of a mannitol-hydrogen peroxide mixture for reducing the amount ofirritation on a wearer's skin caused by microbial-produced volatileorganic compounds. The mixture is capable of generating oxygen uponactivation, and the generated oxygen acts as a terminal electronacceptor for bacteria on or near the skin's surface such that theproduction of volatile organic compounds by the bacteria is reduced.

The invention is further directed to a product comprising from about0.01% (by weight of the product) to about 5% (by weight of the product)of a sorbitol-hydrogen peroxide mixture for reducing the amount ofirritation on a wearer's skin caused by microbial-produced volatileorganic compounds. The mixture is capable of generating oxygen uponactivation, and the generated oxygen acts as a terminal electronacceptor for bacteria on or near the skin's surface such that theproduction of volatile organic compounds by the bacteria is reduced.

The invention is further directed to a process for preparing a productcomprising a carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixture for reducing theamount of irritation on a wearer's skin caused by microbial-producedvolatile organic compounds. The mixture is capable of generating oxygenupon activation such that the oxygen acts as a terminal electronacceptor for bacteria on or near the skin's surface such that theproduction of volatile organic compounds by the bacteria is reduced. Theprocess comprises first mixing a carbohydrate and hydrogen peroxidetogether to form a carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixture and thenheating the mixture at a temperature of at least about 90° C. for atleast about 4.5 hours to evaporate off any solvent in the mixture andproduce solid particles. Finally, the solid particles produced areincorporated into the product.

The invention is further directed to a process for preparing a productcomprising a carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixture for reducing theamount of irritation on a wearer's skin caused by microbial-producedvolatile organic compounds. The mixture is capable of generating oxygenupon activation such that the oxygen acts as a terminal electronacceptor for bacteria on or near the skin's surface such that theproduction of volatile organic compounds by the bacteria is reduced. Theprocess comprises first mixing a sugar alcohol and hydrogen peroxidetogether to form a sugar alcohol-hydrogen peroxide mixture and thenheating the mixture at a temperature of at least about 97° C. for atleast about 7 hours to evaporate off any solvent in the mixture andproduce solid particles. Finally, the solid particles produced areincorporated into the product.

Other objects and features of this invention will be in part apparentand in part pointed out hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered thatthe production of volatile organic compounds by microbes on or near theskin's surface which may lead to skin irritation, inflamation, andinfection, along with offensive odors, can be significantly reduced byintroducing an oxygen producing compound into a product worn next to theskin that can be activated upon wetting. Because waste products producedby the human body such as feces are major sources for microbes whichproduce volatile organic compounds in the absence of sufficient oxygenfor metabolism, the incorporation of the oxygen producing compound intoproducts such as diapers, training pants and adult incontinence garmentsresults in improved skin health as the microbes contained in these wasteproducts, along with those naturally occurring on the skin, do notproduce high amounts of volatile organic compounds in the presence ofoxygen. Surprisingly, a stable carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide compoundcan be incorporated into the products of the present invention such thatwhen an insult occurs, a steady stream of oxygen is produced by themixture in the product resulting in improved skin health and a reducedlevel of offensive odors. In a preferred embodiment, thecarbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide compound comprises a sugar alcohol andhydrogen peroxide such as mannitol peroxide.

In accordance with the present invention, a carbohydrate-hydrogenperoxide mixture is introduced into or onto a product to minimize orsubstantially eliminate the production of volatile organic compounds bymicrobial metabolism. The microbes may be contained on or near the skinand in human waste products such as feces, urine, menses, and nasalsecretions. The carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixtures can beincorporated into or onto numerous products in accordance with thepresent invention such as, for example, diapers, training pants, adultincontinence garments, feminine napkins, paper towels, tampons,interlabial pads, facial tissue, wound management products, bath tissue,deodorant powder, deodorant sticks, diaper pails, liners for diaperpails, refuse containers, bed pads, puppy pads and other pet supplyproducts. When these products, which contain the carbohydrate-hydrogenperoxide mixture, are insulted by urine or another liquid, the mixturereleases a stream of oxygen into the product and onto the surroundingskin. This released oxygen can then participate in the metabolism of thebacteria present in and around the skin and exudate and act as anelectron (or hydrogen) acceptor such that metabolism can occur in thepresence of oxygen. With sufficient oxygen present, the production ofvolatile organic compounds by the bacteria is significantly minimizedsuch that skin irritation, inflamation, and infection, along withoffensive odors, caused by the volatile organic compounds arediminished.

The products of the present invention incorporating acarbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixture are highly useful in reducing theamount of volatile organic compounds produced by numerous types ofbacteria. Specifically, the products of the present inventionincorporating the carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixture areparticularly effective in reducing the amount of volatile organiccompounds produced from facultative bacteria. Examples of facultativebacteria which can produce volatile organic compounds at or near theskin's surface include, but are not limited to, for example,Escherichia, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia, Citrobacter,Corynebacterium, Propionibacterium, Neisseria, Pseudomonas, Vibrios,Shigellae, Salmonella, Proteus, and Moraxella. A wide range of simpleand complex carbohydrates can be combined with hydrogen peroxide toproduce a compound that when insulted produces a stream of oxygen whichcan be utilized as an electron (or hydrogen) acceptor during metabolismby microbes on and near the skin surface. In a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, the carbohydrate component of thecarbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide compound or mixture is comprised of asugar alcohol; that is the carbohydrate is comprised of an alcohol whichhas been derived from a sugar. One example of this is the derivitizationof mannitol from sucrose. Such sugar alcohols may also be commonlyreferred to as polyols. Preferred sugar alcohols for use in combinationwith hydrogen peroxide to produce a carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxidemixture include dulcitol, arabitol, adonitol, mannitol, sorbitol,xylitol, lactitol, maltitol, dithioerythritol, dithiothreitol, glycerol,galactitol, erythritol, inositol, ribitol, and hydrogenated starchhydrolysates. Highly preferred sugar alcohols for use with hydrogenperoxide to produce a stable carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide compoundinclude mannitol and sorbitol.

In accordance with the present invention, the carbohydrate-hydrogenperoxide mixture may be prepared by mixing a carbohydrate, such as asugar alcohol, together with the hydrogen peroxide and heating themixture at a suitable temperature to drive off the solvent for a periodof time of at least about 3 hours, more preferably at least about 4.5hours, and still more preferably at least about 7 hours. After thesolvent is removed, a crystalline powder is recovered. It is preferablethat the heating be sufficient to drive off solvent, but not enough toboil the solvent. Heating temperatures sufficient to drive off thesolvent in a timely manner are typically at least about 80° C., andpreferably at least about 90° C. A particularly suitable temperature isabout 97° C. Although a specific procedure for producing mannitolperoxide for use in the present invention is set forth below in theExamples, one specific method of producing carbohydrate-hydrogenperoxide crystals for incorporation into various products in accordancewith the present invention is as follows: 1.5 parts (by weight) of 30%hydrogen peroxide is mixed together with 1 part (by weight) mannitol ina flask and heated to a temperature of from about 90° C. to about 100°C. for a period of about 7 hours. Enough heat is applied to evaporatesolvent from the mixture, but not enough to boil the mixture. Afterheating is discontinued, any remaining solvent can evaporated by, forexample, a vacuum, to produce a white crystalline powder comprising themannitol-hydrogen peroxide mixture. Under typical circumstances, nosolvent will remain after the 7 hour period. Another method of producingmannitol peroxide can be found in Double Compounds of Hydrogen PeroxideWith Organic Substances, Tanatar, S. 1909, Journal of the RussianPhysical Chemical Society, 40: pg. 376, the entirety of which isincorporated by reference.

A preferred method of preparing the carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxidemixtures for incorporation into the product of the present inventionincludes mixing 1.5 parts (by weight) of 30% hydrogen peroxide with 1part (by weight) mannitol (or other carbohydrate) in a flask and heatingthe mixture to a temperature of about 97° C. for a period of at leastabout 4.5 hours, more preferably at least about 7 hours to evaporate thesolvent and produce solid crystals. Typically, after heating themannitol-hydrogen peroxide mixture for about 3 hours at 97° C., thesolvent has completely evaporated and a white powder or crystallinematerial remains. In accordance with the present invention, it ispreferred that the powderous or crystalline material recovered afterevaporation (i.e., the carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixture) beallowed to remain in the oven (or other drying or heating apparatus) atthe drying or heating temperature for several more hours prior to use;that is, it is preferable that, including the time the solvent is beingevaporated off of the carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixture, themixture remain in the oven at the drying temperature for a period of atleast about 4.5 hours, and more preferably at least about 7 to 24 hoursor longer prior to utilizing the mannitol peroxide in accordance withthe present invention. Such an extended heating time of at least about4.5 hours including the solvent evaporation significantly improves theresulting product's performance in the present invention in that themixture does not significantly inhibit the growth of, or kill, themicrobes.

Without being bound to a particular theory, it appears that, at heatingtemperatures less than about 100° C., if the carbohydrate-hydrogenperoxide mixture is not heated for a total period greater than about 4.5hours (including the evaporation period), the mixture, when activated ina product of the present invention, is prone to releasing some highlyreactive reaction products including reactive oxygen radicals and otherradicals which can kill some or all of the bacteria, including naturallyoccurring bacteria, which may be beneficial or necessary for somepurposes, in the area surrounding the release. It appears that when themixtures are heated for a period of greater than about 4.5 hours,preferably greater than about 7 hours (including the evaporation time),a reduced amount of reactive radicals is released and the carbohydratesuch as mannitol, for example, can act as a sufficient radical scavengerto reduce the available radicals such that released oxygen can beutilized by the bacteria in metabolism to minimize or eliminate volatileorganic compound production. Such an effect is significant in that thereis an advantage in simply minimizing or eliminating the metaboliccompounds produced by bacteria and in not limiting the growth of orkilling the bacteria present on and near the skin, mucosa, or within thebody (i.e., if the products of the present invention are tampons). Thekilling of bacteria is typically non-selective; that is all bacteria arekilled whether the bacteria are beneficial or non-beneficial. In theevent of vaginal bacteria, for example, the killing of all bacteria in aspecific area can be a serious problem as numerous bacterial species arerequired to maintain a healthy vaginal environment and balance the pH ofthe vagina. With the compounds and products of the present invention,only a very small amount, if any, bacteria is actually killed as thecompounds simply supply oxygen for use during metabolism which reducesthe production of the unwanted metabolic byproducts.

Without being bound to a particular theory, it is believed that thecarbohydrate and the hydrogen peroxide do not chemically react with eachother to form a new, different chemical substance, but rather simplycomplex together, possibly through hydrogen bonding, to form an intimatecomplexed mixture which maintains individual carbohydrate and individualhydrogen peroxide molecules. As such, the resulting crystals arecomprised of both the carbohydrate and the hydrogen peroxide. Further,it is believed that when the carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide crystals areintroduced into a product such as a diaper, for example, and insulted,the moisture from the insult decomposes the crystals and releases thehydrogen peroxide, which begins to decompose into peroxide radicals andoxygen radicals. During this decomposition, it is believed that thecarbohydrate (mannitol, for example) acts as a reducing agent andradical scavenger and reduces the oxygen and peroxide free radicalspresent in the mixture. From the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide,in combination with the reducing agent which eliminates the oxidativecompounds, water and oxygen is produced. It is the oxygen produced bythe decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide which is believed toparticipate in the metabolism of the microbes decreasing the productionof the volatile organic compounds.

In accordance with the present invention, the carbohydrate-hydrogenperoxide mixture is introduced into or onto the products of the presentinvention in an amount sufficient to produce a stream of oxygen uponinsult such that metabolism of microbes on and near the surface of theskin or other surface can proceed with minimal production of volatileorganic compounds. In typical embodiments, from about 0.01% (by weightof the substrate) to about 5% (by weight of the substrate), preferablyfrom about 0.1% (by weight of the substrate) to about 1% (by weight ofthe substrate), preferably from about 0.1% (by weight of the substrate)to about 0.5% (by weight of the substrate) of the carbohydrate-hydrogenperoxide mixture is sufficient to provide the intended benefit. As usedherein, the term “by weight of the substrate” means the total weight ofthe dry substrate before any addition of the carbohydrate-hydrogenperoxide mixture.

A significant and unexpected aspect of the products of the presentinvention which contain the carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixtures isthat the products have a particularly long shelf life; that is, thecarbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixtures maintain the ability to producea significant stream of oxygen and do not significantly decompose overextended periods of time. Although the carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxidecompounds of the present invention may decompose slightly over extendedperiods of time, the compounds described herein are sufficiently stablesuch that even after extended periods of storage, a significant amountof oxygen can be produced upon activation. Specifically,carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixtures have been found to maintain theability to produce oxygen when wetted resulting in a decreasedproduction of ammonia from bacteria when the carbohydrate-hydrogenperoxide mixtures were 3 months, 6 months, and even 12 months old. Thisindicates that the carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixtures incorporatedinto the products of the present invention are highly stable oxygenproducing products which, unless exposed to high humidity or liquidsduring storage, are stable for extended periods of time.

Another surprising and unexpected aspect of the products of the presentinvention is their ability to produce a steady, consistent stream ofoxygen over an extended period of time after activation. Even afterextended periods of storage as described above, the products of thepresent invention can produce a steady stream of oxygen for an extendedperiod of time to decrease the production of metabolic products asdescribed herein. This is a significant advantage in that in certainproducts, bacteria laden waste products may remain on or near the skin'ssurface for an extended period of time prior to removal allowingsignificant time for the production of metabolic products. Because theproducts of the present invention are capable of production a consistentstream of oxygen for an extended period of time after activation, theproducts are highly useful in significantly minimizing the production ofmetabolic compounds which can lead to skin irritation and foul odors.

The carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixtures of the present invention maybe introduced directly into or onto a product, or may first beencapsulated into a shell material which releases thecarbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixture when wetted during use. Themicroencapsulated shell is constructed of a material such that it willrelease the carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide crystals upon wetting. Theshell may, optionally, have a coating thereon comprising a ligand whichcan selectively bind the shell containing the carbohydrate-hydrogenperoxide mixtures to living microbes. Such a ligand coating on theoutside surface of the shell may improve the effectiveness of thecarbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixtures described herein by targetingmicrobes for delivery of the mixtures upon urination.

The wetting of the microencapsulated shell may cause the shell materialto solubilize, disperse, swell, disintegrate, or may be permeable suchthat it disintegrates or discharges the carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxidecrystals upon wetting. Suitable microencapsulation shell materialsinclude cellulose-based polymeric materials (e.g., ethyl cellulose),gelatin, carbohydrate-based materials (e.g., starches and sugars) andmaterials derived therefrom (e.g., dextrins and cyclodextrins) as wellas other materials compatible with human tissues. The microencapsulationshell thickness may vary depending upon application, and is generallymanufactured to allow the encapsulated crystals to be covered by a thinlayer of encapsulation material, which may be a monolayer or thickerlaminate layer, or may be a composite layer. The microencapsulationlayer should be thick enough to resist cracking or breaking of the shellduring handling or shipping of the product or during wear which wouldresult in breakage of the encapsulation material and a premature releaseof the crystals. The microencapsulation layer should also be constructedsuch that humidity from atmospheric conditions during storage, shipment,or wear will resist a breakdown of the microencapsulation layer thatwould result in a premature release of the crystals.

Microencapsulated carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide crystals should belocated or be of a size such that the wearer cannot feel theencapsulated shell against the skin. Typically, the size of themicroencapsulated shell should be no greater than about 25 micrometers.Although larger microencapsulated shell sizes may be utilized, they mayresult in a “gritty” or “scratchy” feeling on the skin of the wearer ofthe product.

The carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixtures of the present invention maybe incorporated directly into numerous products to control theproduction of volatile organic compounds from microbes present in humanwaste products and on or near the skin's surface. Specifically, thecarbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixtures can be incorporated intocellulosic materials, non-woven materials, and superabsorbent materialssuch that, upon insult, a steady stream of oxygen is generated from thecarbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixture.

Typically, the carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixture is not simplyintroduced onto or into a product without a stabilizing mechanism toensure that the crystals remain in the desired area of the product. Thecarbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide crystals can be introduced onto a productutilizing various methods including, for example, spray coating, slotcoating, and printing, particle impingement, or a combination thereof.In spray coating, the carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixture isthoroughly mixed with a substantially urine-soluble or urine-dispersableadhesive agent to disperse the carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide crystalsthroughout the adhesive material. The adhesive material can comprise aurine-soluble adhesive which will partially or completely dissolve uponwetting with urine or other liquids and allow release of thecarbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixture, or may be comprised of amaterial which disperses upon contact with urine allowing release of themixture. Suitable adhesives include, for example, polyvinyl pyrrolidoneand poylvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof. After the adhesive andcarbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide crystals are mixed, they can be appliedby, for example, spraying, knifing, or roller coating, onto the desiredarea of the product and allowed to dry prior to packaging. It will berecognized by one skilled in the art that the crystals described hereincan be distributed throughout the entire product, or can simply beintroduced onto a particular area of a product depending upon theintended use of the product.

Similar to spray coating, the carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide crystalsmay be introduced into or onto the products of the present inventionthrough slot coating. In slot coating, an adhesive-carbohydrate-hydrogenperoxide mixture as described above is introduced directly onto thedesired area of the pad in “slots,” discrete row patterns, or otherpatterns. Upon wetting, the adhesive allows a release of thecarbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide crystals. Slot coating may beadvantageous in certain applications wherein it is not desirable to coatthe entire surface with an adhesive. In some circumstances, an adhesivecoating over an entire surface may retard quick absorption of urine orother exudates into an absorbent core. When slot coating is utilized,channels are created where no adhesive is present and exudates may drainquickly. Slot coating may also be advantageous in certain applicationswhere precise control of the location of the carbohydrate-hydrogenperoxide crystals is desired. Generally, slot coating rows are evenlyspaced across the surface upon which they are applied, but may be spacedin specific patterns with varying spacing if desired.

In an alternative embodiment, the carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixturecan also be introduced onto or into a gas permeable liner, absorbentcore, or another layer of a product in accordance with the presentinvention through the use of a vacuum driving force or through the useof a pressure differential. When utilizing a vacuum force, thecarbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide crystals are positioned on the liner,absorbent core, or another layer while a vacuum driving force is appliedto the opposite side of the liner, absorbent core, or another layer todrive the crystals into the fabric matrix of the liner, core or otherlayer. Varying degrees of vacuum can be applied depending upon therequired depth of the crystals. In this embodiment, no adhesive isrequired. Once in the fabric matrix of the product, the crystals arestable until wetted. Alternatively, electrostatic forces or other meansmay be utilized to stabilize the crystals on the surface of the product.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, thecarbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide crystals can be incorporated in variousproducts in accordance with the present invention by incorporating thecrystals into a liposome carrier or emulsion and introducing theliposome carrier or emulsion into or onto the product in the desiredamount. This type of delivery system for the carbohydrate-hydrogenperoxide crystals allows for incorporation of the active material intofibers as well as non-woven materials such as tissues, and into thesolutions used in combination with wet wipes. Liposome carrier oremulsion systems may also be useable to incorporate thecarbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide crystals into other products such aswound management products, feminine care products, bath tissue, adultincontinence garments, and/or deodorants.

The present invention is illustrated by the following examples which aremerely for the purpose of illustration and is not to be regarded aslimiting the scope of the invention or manner in which it may bepracticed.

EXAMPLE 1

In this Example, Proteus mirabilis bacteria was grown under variousgrowth conditions and analyzed to determine whether aeration of thebacteria during growth affected the production of compounds by thebacteria during growth that elicit an inflammatory response in humanskin tissues.

1. Bacterial Preparation

Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 29906) were recovered from frozen state bygrowing the appropriate bacterial coated MicroBank Bead (Pro Lab, AustinTex.) in 10 mL trypticase soy broth (TSB, Difco, Ann Arbor, Mich.) in a15 mL sterile loosely tightened screw capped conical tube overnight at37° C. The tube was held stationary. (E. coli (ATCC 8739), utilized inExample 6 herein, was recovered using the same procedure describedherein for Proteus mirabilis). Upon observation of turbidity, thebacterial suspension was checked for purity by isolation plate and Gramstain. Once determined that the isolate was Proteus mirabilis (or E.coli in Example 6), a colony from the isolation plate was transferred to10 mL of TSB in a 15 mL sterile screw capped conical tube and incubatedovernight at 37° C. under facultative conditions. Samples of bacterialsuspension resulting from this overnight TSB culture were used toinitiate all experiments utilizing Proteus mirabilis bacteria (or E.coli in Example 6).

2. Growth of Bacteria in Urine for Production and Control of SkinIrritants

Proteus mirabilis was taken from a TSB culture (described in (1) above)and grown under various conditions for use in the Examples. For bacteriato be grown under aerobic conditions, 50 microliters of Proteusmirabilis was taken from a TSB culture prepared as described above andinoculated into a 50 mL volume of a freshly made 9:1 (by volume) pooledadult female urine:TSB mixture into a 250 mL shake flask. This mixturewas rotated at 250 rpm at 37° C. overnight to grow the bacteria. Forbacteria to be grown under facultative conditions, 10 microliters ofProteus mirabilis was taken from a TSB culture prepared as describedabove and inoculated into a 10 mL volume of a freshly made 9:1 (byvolume) pooled adult female urine:TSB mixture into a 15 mL tube. Thetube was loosely fitted with a screw cap, and held stationary at 37° C.overnight to grow the bacteria. For bacteria to be grown under anaerobicconditions, 10 microliters of Proteus mirabilis was taken from a TSBculture prepared as described above and inoculated into a 10 mL volumeof a freshly made 9:1 (by volume) pooled adult female urine:TSB mixtureinto a 15 mL conical tube. The tube was purged with nitrogen and a screwcap tightly closed, and then was held stationary overnight at 37° C. togrow the bacteria.

3. Test Method for Analysis of Skin Insult

In order to evaluate the amount of skin irritation by various samplesprepared in the Examples, a human skin culture was selected to model theresponse of the human epidermis to treated and untreated bacterialmetabolized urine:TSB mixture. The tissue model selected was anEPIOCULAR Tissue Model (OCL-200 propagated without hydrocortisone), andwas purchased from MatTek Corporation (Ashland, Mass.). This modelconsists of normal, human-derived epidermal keratinocytes, which havebeen cultured to form a stratified, squamous epithelium similar to thatfound in the cornea. The epidermal cells, which are cultured onspecially prepared cell culture inserts using a serum free medium,differentiate to form a multi-layered structures which closely parallelthe corneal epithelium. Experiments using this skin culture wereconducted in six parallel wells. Each well contained one milliliter ofpre-warmed media that was the same as the model skin culture media. Theplates were then incubated in a 37° C., 5% carbon dioxide atmosphere forthirty minutes. After incubation, 25 microliters of the sample wereapplied to the surface of the model skin culture after removing anyresidual media.

After application of the test solution, the well plates were incubatefor 6 hours in the 37° C., 5% carbon dioxide atmosphere. At the end of 6hours, the well plates were removed from the incubator and theunderlying media removed and stored at −80° C. The response of the skinculture to test the compositions/control and the insult solution isdetermined by measuring the amount of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1a) and/orinterleukin-8 (IL-8). IL-1a and IL-8 were quantified using anInterleukin-1 alpha or Interleukin-8 Quantikine Kit available from R& DSystems (Minneapolis, Minn.).

4. Viability of Skin Culture Test Method

To insure that the samples did not affect the viability of the skinculture, a MTT(3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbormide (SigmaChemical Company, St. Louis, Mo.) assay was done. The reduction of thedye, which was taken up by the cells as a result of cellular metabolism,was used to measure the cytotoxicity of the test compositions. In orderto confirm viability, inserts of the skin culture that had previouslybeen subjected to the test composition insults were removed from theirmedia and were washed consecutively through immersion in three differentbeakers of Phosphate Buffered Saline at a pH of 7.4. Fresh PhosphateBuffered Saline was used for each sample evaluated. The PhosphateBuffered Saline was discarded onto a paper towel, and the skin cultureinserts were then patted onto the paper towel and placed into the wellsof a 24 well plate containing 300 microliters of pre-warmed media. Afterall of the skin culture inserts were washed, they were transferred tonew 24 well plates containing 300 microliters of the MTT reagent. Theplates were incubated for 2 hours in a 37° C., 5% carbon dioxideatmosphere. After incubation, the skin culture inserts were transferredto 24 well plates and were immersed in 2 milliliters of MTT extractionbuffer. The extraction buffer extracted the MTT reagent from the cells.The 24 well plates were parafilmed, covered and placed in airtight bagsto reduce evaporation of the extraction buffer. The covered plates wererocked overnight in the dark and then the liquid in the skin cultureinserts decanted back into the wells. The contents of each well weremixed and a 200 microliter aliquot was then removed from each well andtransferred to a 96 well plate. The optical density of the samples wasmeasured at 570 nanometers using a spectrophotometer (Molecular Devices,Sunnyvale, Calif.). The reading was subtracted from a background readingat 650 nanometers to improve data quality. Percent viability of eachtest composition relative to a PBS treated control was recorded as theMean OD (test composition) divided by the Mean OD (PBS control) and thequotient then multiplied by 100.

In this Example, five samples were prepared and analyzed to determine:(1) Bacterial Yield (CFU/mL) calculated from optical density; (3)Percent viability of EPIOCULAR; and (4) EPIOCULAR IL-8. The samplesincluded: (1) Deionized Water; (2) A urine:TSB mixture (9:1 by volume)as described above; (3) A urine:TSB mixture containing Proteus mirabilisbacteria grown under aerobic conditions as described above; (4) Aurine:TSB mixture containing Proteus mirabilis bacteria grown underfacultative conditions as described above; and (5) A urine:TSB mixturecontaining Proteus mirabilis bacteria grown under anaerobic conditionsas described above. Table 1 sets forth the data collected for eachsample. TABLE 1 Bacterial % Viability Yield EPIOCULAR EPIOCULAR IL-1aSample (CFU/mL) (n = 3) (pg/mL) (n = 3) Deionized N/A  100 ± 19.5 22.78± 7.3 Water Urine:TSB N/A 96.5 ± 9.2 22.14 ± 9.3 Urine:TSB:Aerobic3.9E+9 81.3 ± 4.0 25.96 ± 4.1 Urine:TSB:Facultative 1.3E+9 58.7 ± 11.6163.5 ± 49.37 Urine:TSB:Anaerobic 1.1E+9 75.6 ± 9.3 161.1 ± 49.37

As the data in Table 1 indicates, bacterial cell yields for all sampleswherein Proteus mirabilis bacteria were introduced were similar. Also,the percent viability of the EPIOCULAR skin tissues remained fairlyconstant amongst the samples indicating that the skin cultures werealive after testing. The EPIOCULAR IL-1a produced for the deionizedwater, urine:TSB mixture and urine:TSB:aerobically cultivated bacteriawas approximately equal, which indicated that the amount of insult onthe EPIOCULAR skin culture was about the same for these samples.However, the IL-1a produced for the samples containing facultative andanaerobic cultivated bacteria was much higher compared to the firstthree samples. This increase in IL-1a for samples containing bacteriagrown in oxygen deficient environments indicates that by increasing theaeration (i.e., oxygen during growth of the bacteria) the compounds madeby the bacteria under various conditions change. Aeration appears tosubstantially reduce the compounds produced by bacteria that elicit aninflammatory response in EPIOCULAR skin cultures (IL-1a).

EXAMPLE 2

In this Example, Proteus mirabilis bacteria were grown under variousconditions in a urine:TSB mixture and the samples analyzed to determinewhether aeration of the bacteria during growth affected the productionammonia by the bacteria.

In this Example, five samples were prepared and analyzed. The firstsample comprised deionized water. The second sample comprised aurine:TSB mixture as described in Example 1. The third sample comprisedurine:TSB:aerobically grown bacteria, and was prepared as described inExample 1. The fourth sample comprised urine:TSB:facultatively grownbacteria, and was prepared as described in Example 1. The fifth samplecomprised urine:TSB:anaerobically grown bacteria, and was prepared asdescribed in Example 1.

Upon completion of the respective incubation periods of the samples,optical density measurements of each sample were taken as describedabove and ammonia production of the growth solutions was measured usingan ammonia combination probe (Beckman, Fullerton, Calif.) by record mVusing an Orion pH meter (Orion, Boston, Mass.). Orion ammonia standards(Orion) were used to calibrate the instrument.

Table 2 provides the data obtained in this Example 2, and showsbacterial CFU/milliliter for each sample, production of ammonia persample (in ppm), and the amount of ammonia production per cell. TABLE 2Bacterial Ammonia Yields Production Ammonia/Cell Sample (CFU/mL) (ppm)(ppm/CFU × 10E+8) Deionized N/A N/A N/A Water Urine:TSB N/A 17.68 N/AUrine:TSB:Aerobic 3.9E+9 109.3 2.3 Urine:TSB:Facultative 1.3E+9 76.2 4.5Urine:TSB:Anaerobic 1.1E+9 94.1 7.0

As the data in Table 2 indicates, for samples wherein Proteus mirabiliswas introduced, aerobically grown bacteria produced the least amount ofammonia per bacterial cell followed by facultative and anaerobicbacteria. This indicates that by increasing the aeration (i.e., theamount of oxygen available during growth) during bacterial growth, theamount of ammonia production by the bacterial cells is decreased.

EXAMPLE 3

In this Example, mannitol peroxide was introduced into various samplesand the samples analyzed to determine whether, under certain conditions,it could decrease the amount of ammonia production by bacteria in urine.

1. Mannitol Peroxide Production

Hydrogen Peroxide (22.5 mL of 30% hydrogen peroxide obtained from SigmaChemical, St. Louis, Mo.) was mixed with mannitol (15 grams obtainedfrom Sigma Chemical, St. Louis, Mo.) in a 300 mL Pyrex Fleaker. Themannitol was dissolved completely using heat and the Fleaker containingthe mannitol-hydrogen peroxide solution was placed, without a cap, intoa forced air oven (97° C.). The liquid was allowed to evaporateresulting in a dried white crystalline material observed afterapproximately three hours of drying. Multiple batches were made that hadresidence times in the oven of 3, 4.5, 7, and 24 hours. With theexception of Example 8 wherein mannitol peroxide having residence timesof 3 hours, 4.5 hours, 7 hours, and 24 hours were tested, all Examplesherein utilized mannitol peroxide having a residence time of 7 hours.

In this Example, six different samples were prepared for analysis. Thefirst sample comprised a urine:TSB mixture that was prepared in the samemanner as that described in Example 1. The second sample comprised aurine:TSB:5% mannitol peroxide mixture that was prepared in the samemanner as sample 1, with the exception that 5% mannitol peroxide (w/v)was added to the mixture. The third sample comprised urine:TSB:10%mannitol peroxide, and was prepared similarly to sample 2 with theexception that 10% mannitol peroxide was added to the mixture. Thefourth sample containing urine:TSB:facultatively grown Proteus mirabilisbacteria:5% mannitol peroxide (w/v) was prepared as follows: 50microliters of Proteus mirabilis was taken from a TSB culture preparedas described above and inoculated into a 10 mL volume of a freshly made9:1 (by volume) pooled adult female urine:TSB mixture into a 15 mL tube.The tube was loosely fitted with a screw cap, and held stationary at 37°C. overnight to grow the bacteria. An appropriate amount of mannitolperoxide was added to a fresh 10 mL volume of urine:TSB (9:1 by volume)in a 15 mL conical tube to produce a 5% (w/v) solution of mannitolperoxide. To this mixture of mannitol peroxide was added 10 microlitersof the overnight urine:TSB grown bacteria, and this mixture was allowedto incubate at 37° C. overnight to grow the bacteria under facultativeconditions. The fifth sample comprising urine:TSB:Proteus mirabilis(facultatively grown) was prepared in the same manner as that describedin Example 1. The sixth sample comprising urine:TSB:facultativebacteria:10% mannitol peroxide was prepared the same as sample 4 withthe exception that 10% mannitol peroxide was utilized.

The samples were analyzed for optical density and for ammonia content asdescribed in Example 2 above. Table 3 shows the data collected for eachsample. TABLE 3 Ammonia Bacterial Produced Ammonia/cell Yields (ppm)(ppm/CFU Sample (CFU/mL) (n = 3) E+8) Urine:TSB N/A 22.0 ± 5.7 N/AUrine:TSB:5% Mannitol N/A 12.3 ± 0.5 N/A Peroxide Urine:TSB:10% MannitolN/A 13.2 ± 0.9 N/A Peroxide Urine:TSB:Facultative 1.10E+9 69.9 ± 1.1 4.3Urine:TSB:Facultative:5% 1.30E+9 34.5 ± 12.6 1.6 Mannitol PeroxideUrine:TSB:Facultative:10% 8.20E+8 13.9 ± 0.3 0.01 Mannitol Peroxide

As shown in Table 3, the mannitol peroxide decreased ammonia productionper bacterial cell in the samples containing Proteus mirabilis bacteria.As the amount of mannitol peroxide increased in the bacteria-containingsample from 5% to 10%, the amount of ammonia produced per cell droppedsubstantially. Without being bound to a particular theory, it appearsthat the mannitol peroxide crystals decompose in the presence of theurine and produce oxygen which is ultimately utilized by the bacteriaduring metabolism which results in the bacteria producing a reducedamount of ammonia, which is a known skin irritant.

EXAMPLE 4

In this Example, three separate samples were prepared and analyzed tomeasure the percent reduction of ammonia production in bacteria whendiffering amounts of mannitol peroxide were utilized.

The first sample comprised urine:TSB:facultatively grown Proteusmirabilis as prepared and described in Example 1. The second samplecomprised urine:TSB:facultatively grown Proteus mirabilis:5% mannitolperoxide as prepared and described in Example 3. The third sample wasprepared in the same manner as the second sample with the exception that10% mannitol peroxide was incorporated into the mixture.

Each sample was analyzed for bacterial cell yield by optical density asdescribed in Example 1, and was analyzed for ammonia content asdescribed in Example 2. The data collected is shown in Table 4. TABLE 4Ammonia/ % Bacterial Ammonia Cell Reduction Yields (ppm) (ppm/CFU ofSample (CFU/mL) (n = 3) E+8) Ammonia Urine:TSB:Facultative 1.10E+9 69.9± 1.1 4.3 N/A Urine:TSB:Facultative: 1.30E+9 34.5 ± 12.6 1.6 53.6 5%Mannitol Peroxide Urine:TSB:Facultative:  8.2E+8 13.9 ± 0.3 0.01 98.510% Mannitol Peroxide

The data in Table 4 shows that the mannitol peroxide had very little, ifany, impact on the growth of the cells, but did significantly impact theproduction of ammonia by the bacteria. The mannitol peroxidesignificantly decreased the production of ammonia per cell. The effectof the mannitol peroxide appears to be dose dependent as the percentagedecrease in ammonia production increased as the amount of mannitolperoxide increased.

EXAMPLE 5

In this Example four samples were prepared and analyzed to determinewhether mannitol peroxide could reduce the production of compounds bybacteria that induce an IL-1a and a IL-8 response in EPIOCULAR skincultures.

The first sample comprised urine:TSB and was prepared in the same manneras the urine:TSB sample in Example 1. The second sample comprisedurine:TSB:facultatively grown Proteus mirabilis and was prepared in thesame manner as the urine:TSB:facultative bacteria in Example 1. Thethird sample comprised urine:TSB:facultatively grown Proteusmirabilis:5% mannitol peroxide (w/v) and was prepared in the same manneras sample 3 in Example 3. The fourth sample comprisedurine:TSB:facultatively grown Proteus mirabilis:10% mannitol peroxide(w/v) and was prepared in the same manner as sample 3 with the exceptionthat it contained 10% mannitol peroxide (w/v).

After the incubation of each sample, bacterial CFU/milliliter andEPIOCULAR viability readings were obtained as set forth in Example 1.Also, each sample was used to challenge EPIOCULAR skin cultures as setforth in Example 1 to determine whether IL-1a and/or IL-8 was produced.The raw data collected is set forth in Table 5. TABLE 5 Bacterial %Yields Viability IL-1a Sample (CFU/mL) EPIOCULAR (pg/mL) IL-8 (pg/mL)Urine:TSB N/A 93.04 ± 4.4  2.82 ± 0.38  9521.45 ± 1646.31Urine:TSB:Facultative 1.10E+9 59.13 ± 8.2 124.91 ± 18.59 27423.23 ±786.66 Urine:TSB:Facultative:5% Mannitol Peroxide 1.30E+9 78.26 ± 7.6 48.12 ± 8.93 27224.30 ± 2432.83 Urine:TSB:Facultative:10% MannitolPeroxide 8.20E+8 77.39 ± 10.3  15.26 ± 12.80 15884.57 ± 839.53

As shown in Table 5, adding mannitol peroxide during growth of thebacteria impacts the compounds made by the bacteria which leads to areduction in the amount of IL-1a produced by EPIOCULAR. Further, theamount of IL-8 produced by EPIOCULAR also decreased with increasingamounts of mannitol peroxide additions.

EXAMPLE 6

In this Example four samples were prepared and analyzed to determinewhether mannitol peroxide could reduce the production of compounds by E.coli bacteria that induce an IL-8 and/or an IL-1a response in EPIOCULARskin cultures.

The four samples were prepared identically to the four samples inExample 5 with the exception that facultatively grown E. coli wasutilized as the bacteria in place of the Proteus mirabilis bacteria. Theprocess for growing facultatively grown E. coli is set forth in Example1.

After incubation, each sample was analyzed for EPIOCULAR viability andbacterial cell count as set forth in Example 1. Each sample was alsoused to challenge EPIOCULAR skin cultures to determine if IL-8 wasproduced. The raw data collected is set forth in Table 6. TABLE 6Bacterial IL-8 Yields Ammonia % Viability (pg/mL) Sample (CFU/mL) (ppm)(n = 3) (n = 3) Urine:TSB N/A 17.68 87.1 ± 5.4  920.91 ± 78.95Urine:TSB: 5.86E+9 17.96 97.4 ± 0.6 1965.25 ± 53.68 FacultativeUrine:TSB: 2.14E+9 12.46 84.4 ± 2.8 1769.31 ± 103.9 Faculative:5% MPUrine:TSB: 4.98E+9 14.04 86.1 ± 3.3 1336.69 ± 60.84 Faculative:10% MP

Table 6 sets forth the data collected and shows that the addition ofmannitol peroxide to the samples reduced the amount of IL-8 insult tothe EPIOCULAR skin cultures.

EXAMPLE 7

In this Example, five samples were prepared to determine whethermannitol, in the absence of hydrogen peroxide, would reduce the amountof ammonia produced by Proteus mirabilis bacteria in a urine:TSBmixture.

The first sample comprised urine:TSB and was prepared in a similarmanner to the urine:TSB sample in Example 1. The second sample comprisedurine:TSB:facultatively grown Proteus mirabilis, and was prepared in asimilar manner to the urine:TSB:facultative bacteria sample inExample 1. The third sample comprised urine:TSB:facultatively grownProteus mirabilis:10% (w/v) mannitol and was prepared in a similarmanner to sample number 3 in Example 3, with the exception the mannitolwas substituted for the mannitol peroxide. The fourth sample comprisedurine:TSB:10% mannitol and was prepared similarly to sample 1 with theexception that 10% mannitol (w/v) was added. The fifth sample comprisedurine:TSB:facultatively grown Proteus mirabilis:5% mannitol peroxide andwas prepared similarly to sample 3 with the exception that mannitolperoxide was used in place of mannitol.

After incubation, each sample was analyzed for ammonia content andbacterial cell yields. The raw data collected is shown in Table 8. TABLE7 Bacterial Ammonia Yields Produced Ammonia/Cell Sample (CFU/mL) (ppm)(n = 3) (ppm/10E8CFU) Urine:TSB N/A  43.3 ± 1.2 N/A Urine:TSB:10% N/A 42.6 ± 0.1 N/A Mannitol Urine:TSB: 7.53E+8 639.4 ± 1.8 79.2 FacultativeUrine:TSB:Facultative: 6.91E+8 621.6 ± 1.8 83.8 10% MannitolUrine:TSB:facultative: 8.93E+8 434.5 ± 7.5 43.84 5% Mannitol Peroxide

As the raw data shows and FIG. 7 illustrates, mannitol in the absence ofhydrogen peroxide does not significantly impact the production ofammonia in the bacteria.

EXAMPLE 8

In this Example, various concentrations of mannitol peroxide andmannitol were tested in the presence of aerobically cultivated Proteusmirabilis, urine and TSB to determine whether the mannitol peroxide ormannitol significantly impacted bacteria growth. The mannitol peroxideutilized in the samples of this Example were subjected to differentdrying procedures to determine whether length of drying of the mannitolperoxide had any effect on the growth of bacteria.

Proteus mirabilis was cultured in TSB as described in Example 1 andtransferred to a urine:TSB mixture (9:1) and incubated under aerobicconditions as described in Example 1. A 10% solution (by weight) of eachtimepoint-batch of mannitol peroxide was prepared by mixing 1 gram ofmannitol peroxide (or mannitol alone for some samples as indicated inTable 8 below) into 10 mL urine:TSB (9:1) mixture in a 15 mL screw topconical tube. The mixture was heated for about 30 minutes at about 37°C. to help solubilize the mannitol peroxide. In a 96-well microtiterplate with a lid, 150 microliters of each 10% solution was introducedinto the first and second columns of the wells. Using a multi-channelpipette, 150 microliters of urine:TSB mixture was introduced into eachwell except the first column. Beginning at the second column of wells,serial dilutions were made by removing 150 microliters from the secondcolumn and transferring it to the third column. The mixture was mixed bypipetting up and down three times. The serial dilutions continued acrosseach column of the plate and, after column 11, 150 microliters wasdiscarded leaving column 12 as the 0% solution. Each well was theninoculated with 1 microliter of Proteus mirabilis, except for thenegative control rows. One to three drops of anti-fogging solution wasplace on the plate lids with a cotton applicator, and allowed to airdry. The mixtures were incubated for 48 hours at 37° C. under aerobicconditions.

After incubation of the samples, each was analyzed for bacterial cellgrowth utilizing the optical density procedure as set forth inExample 1. The raw data for the optical density measurements is setforth in Table 8. TABLE 8 Time in 97° C. Oven 10% 5% 2.5% 1.25% 0.625%0.313% 0.156% 0.0785% 0.0391% 0.0195% 0.0097% 0% 24 Hr.  0.80 0.88 0.930.95 0.96 0.97 0.97 0.97 0.99 0.98 0.99 1.00 7 Hr. 0.82 0.90 0.97 0.980.99 0.96 1.00 0.98 0.95 0.98 0.98 0.98 4.5 Hr.   0.04 0.87 0.97 0.990.93 0.99 0.98 0.99 0.99 0.98 0.97 1.00 3 Hr. 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.990.83 0.99 0.97 0.94 0.94 0.98 0.98 Mannitol 0.87 0.89 0.99 1.02 0.980.92 0.92 0.97 0.97 0.98 0.98 1.00 Alone

The data set forth in Table 8 indicates that the amount of time that themannitol peroxide is heated during the drying step of the synthesis isan important factor in whether the mannitol peroxide ultimately inhibitsthe growth of bacteria. Mannitol alone appears to have no effect on cellgrowth at low concentrations, and appears to have little, if any, effecton cell growth at elevate concentrations. Similarly, mannitol peroxidethat is subjected to heating for at least about 7 hours at a temperatureof about 97° C. during the synthesis process also appears to have littleeffect on the growth of the bacteria, even at elevated concentrations.As discussed above, it is beneficial to incorporate oxygen producingcompounds into the products of the present invention such that thecompounds do not kill or inhibit the growth of a substantial amount ofbacteria as some bacteria are required for maintaining good health.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved. As various changes could be made in theabove-described products without departing from the scope of theinvention, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

1. A process for preparing a product comprising a carbohydrate-hydrogenperoxide mixture for reducing the amount of irritation on a wearer'sskin caused by microbial-produced volatile organic compounds, themixture being capable of generating oxygen upon activation, the oxygenacting as a terminal electron acceptor for bacteria on or near theskin's surface such that the production of volatile organic compounds bythe bacteria is reduced, the process comprising: mixing a carbohydrateand hydrogen peroxide together to form a carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxidemixture; heating the carbohydrate-hydrogen peroxide mixture at atemperature of at least about 90° C. for at least about 4.5 hours toevaporate off any solvent in the mixture and produce solid particles;and incorporating the solid particles into the product.
 2. The processas set forth in claim 1 wherein the mixture is heated for a period of atleast about 7 hours prior to incorporation into the product.
 3. Theprocess as set forth in claim 1 wherein the mixture is heated for aperiod of at least about 24 hours prior to incorporation into theproduct.
 4. The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein the carbohydrateis selected from the group consisting of dulcitol, arabitol, adonitol,mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, lactitol, maltitol, dithioerythritol,dithiothreitol, glycerol, galactitol, erythritol, inositol, ribitol,hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, and mixtures and combinations thereof.5. A process for preparing a product comprising a carbohydrate-hydrogenperoxide mixture for reducing the amount of irritation on a wearer'sskin caused by microbial-produced volatile organic compounds, themixture being capable of generating oxygen upon activation, the oxygenacting as a terminal electron acceptor for bacteria on or near theskin's surface such that the production of volatile organic compounds bythe bacteria is reduced, the process comprising: mixing a sugar alcoholand hydrogen peroxide together to form a sugar-alcohol-hydrogen peroxidemixture; heating the sugar alcohol-hydrogen peroxide mixture at atemperature of at least about 97° C. for at least about 7 hours toevaporate off any solvent in the mixture and produce solid particles;and incorporating the solid particles into the product.
 6. The processas set forth in claim 5 wherein the sugar alcohol is selected from thegroup consisting of mannitol and sorbitol.